1.
If the panel dismisses my grievance complaint, can I appeal it?Unless the grievance panel
concludes that the complaint alleges that the
attorney committed a crime, the grievance panel must
dismiss the complaint if it does not find probable
cause that the attorney is guilty of misconduct.
The decision is filed with the Statewide Grievance
Committee. The grievance panel’s decision to dismiss
is final and cannot be appealed.If the grievance panel finds no
probable cause that the attorney is guilty of
misconduct, but concludes that the complaint alleged
that the attorney committed a crime, then a
subcommittee of the Statewide Grievance Committee
(known as a reviewing committee) will review the
decision and either affirm the decision and dismiss
the complaint, or reverse the decision and find that
there is probable cause that the attorney is guilty
of misconduct.

The grievance panel’s
decision that the complaint did or did not allege
that the attorney committed a crime is not
appealable.

2. Can I respond to the attorney’s answer and provide additional evidence?There is no rule permitting a
response to an answer. The Complainant should
contact the grievance panel’s attorney (known as
the grievance counsel), to ask if a response to
the attorney’s answer can be sent to the panel.

3.
Will there be a hearing on my complaint?Generally, no. The local grievance panel may hold a
hearing if it believes a hearing is necessary; the
local panel may also investigate the complaint
without a hearing and ask for statements from
witnesses or ask for additional evidence. Often, the
local grievance panels only review the written
complaint, answer, and evidence submitted by you and
the attorney.

4.
Who represents me, the Complainant, in this process?The grievance process is an
investigation by the Judicial Branch into the
conduct of an attorney. After you file a complaint,
you are called the Complainant. You can provide
useful information to the local panel investigating
the complaint. If probable cause is found that the
attorney is guilty of misconduct, you can help the
disciplinary counsel make the case against the
attorney. Disciplinary counsel does not have to call
you as a witness at the public hearing, but you have
the right to make a statement to the Statewide
Grievance Committee, if probable cause was found. No
one will represent you in this case, and the
grievance process is not likely to have an effect on any related civil or criminal action. You can
represent yourself in this process or hire counsel
to represent you.

7. Can I contact the panel members?No. The panel members are asked to review the evidence
before them and make a decision. All
communication should be with the grievance panel
counsel. It is improper to contact a panel
member directly; doing so will result in delay and
possible transfer of the grievance complaint.

10. Is there anything that I cannot send (confidential
documents, psychiatric reports etc.)Yes. You cannot submit personal identifying information
in your complaint. If you want to submit any
medical, psychiatric or hospital records, then you
must provide these records in a sealed envelope with
an explanation why they are relevant to the
grievance complaint. The panel will decide to review the records or send them back.